Impact of Tactile Stimulation on Anthropometric Measurements of Premature Infants in Assiut City

Hassan, Atyat Mohammed; Youssef, Magda Mohamed; Hassanein, Farouk El-Sayed; Mobarak, Amal Ahmed

doi:10.21608/asnj.2014.58660

Impact of Tactile Stimulation on Anthropometric Measurements of Premature Infants in Assiut City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant lecturer in Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University.

² Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University.

³ Professor of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University

⁴ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University

10.21608/asnj.2014.58660

Abstract

Prematurity is a major health problem because it is a leading cause of infant mortality. The incidence of prematurity in the year 2010 was 42.8 % of the total admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Assiut University Hospital. Tactile stimulation is one of the sensory stimulation, it is important for early physical and mental growth of neonates. This study aims to assess impact of tactile stimulation on anthropometric measurements of premature infants in Assiut City. Subjects and Method: Quasi-experimental research design was utilized in this study. The study was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Assiut University Children Hospital, Assiut General Hospital, Health Insurance Hospital (El-Mabarah Hospital) and El-Eyman for Gynecology and Obstetric Hospital. The study subjects included a convenient sample of 50 premature infants. One tool was utilized to fulfill the aim of this study; anthropometric measurements Sheet. Results showed that the premature infants of the study had better anthropometric measurements, especially in weight gain. Although, no statistical significant differences were found between the study and the control groups regarding growth measurements, the percentages and means weight of premature infants who received tactile stimulation were higher than those who didn't receive such stimulation. It was concluded from the findings of the current study that premature infants who received tactile stimulation had better growth than those who did not receive it and had only the hospital usual care. Recommendations: Health care professionals should use the appropriate types of neonatal stimulation, e.g., tactile, visual, auditory or/and mixed stimulation to promote neonate's growth. Health care institutions, such as, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), should include the tactile stimulation as a usual care interventions for stable premature infants.

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